Benue farmers beg Gov Alia to enforce anti-open grazing law
Farmers in Benue State have appealed to Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia to immediately enforce the Anti-Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Law, citing fresh killings and destruction of farmlands by suspected Fulani herders.
The call, also directed at the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Berger Alfred Emberga, and ALGON Chairman, Vitalis Terhile Neji, follows renewed violence in Gwer West Local Government Area.
Daily Post recalls that two farmers from Goh community in Saeghev ward were killed on Wednesday while working on their farms.
The incident happened barely 24 hours after the Council Chairman, Hon. Ormin Torsar Victor, toured the area to assess damages caused by grazing activities.
Residents lamented that despite the law prohibiting open grazing, herdsmen still move freely across farmlands, allegedly armed with AK-47 rifles and attacking farmers who resist them.
“They are destroying farmlands in broad daylight without any challenge. Farmers are losing hope, and if this continues, we may have no option but to stop farming altogether,” a local source told reporters.
Benue farmers beg Gov Alia to enforce anti-open grazing law
